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Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials XXXIII
Seoul, South Korea (July 2019) "I'm starting to think that girl is more trouble than she's worth." Veronica commented. Haneul, Minho, and her were standing on a sidewalk in Seoul, avoiding bumping into any humans that passed by. "This is all your fault. If you hadn't argued with me back in that cottage, we would've--" Minho stepped toward Haneul, pointing a finger to his chest. "No, this is your fault." Haneul lashed out right back, gripping the sword hilted on his hip, "If you had just stayed with Camael and followed orders like the good soldier that you are, everything would've been alright. Instead, you had to interfere--" "Maybe if you had been doing a good job of protecting her, then I wouldn't have to interfere." Minho spat back. Haneul scoffed, "Is that so? Then, why don't you answer the question this time? What is Tina to you? Why is she so important to you? Worth risking your life over? I know for a fact that you left the battalion when Camael had already given you a wa
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials XXXIV
Manila, Philippines (July 2019)Tina was trapped and bound to a chair in her own living room. "Seriously. Again?" she murmured, more to herself than the demon who called himself Asmodeus. When Haneul told her who and what she was, she expected it to be hard, but the constant kidnapping was getting on her nerves. Asmodeus raised his eyebrows, studying Tina curiously. By the way he moved, he reminded her of Veronica. She guessed it made sense. They both ruled the Province of Lust back in Hell. The sensual way Asmodeus leaned into the wall, the calculating and hungry glint in his eyes as he looked at her, they both were the same. Coming from Veronica, a woman who was wearing the same face as hers, Tina felt uncomfortable enough. From Asmodeus, it was downright lecherous. "Christina. I would say it's nice to meet you, but that would be a lie," a voice appeared to her left and Tina gasped. The woman wearing her face was dressed in a pristine white chiffon dress that looked like it belong
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials XXXV
The 5th Dimension (The Traveler Institute) Haneul awoke with a headache. He was in a strange room, but one that was also familiar to him. He could not place it at the moment, though, with his throbbing head. But with the air around him, he did know he was no longer in the third dimension. "Feeling better?" a woman entered Haneul's room. "Nazrene." Haneul smiled at the friendly face. "Hello, Haneul. How long has it been?" Nazrene greeted him warmly, smoothing her long blond hair behind her ear. "Well, we met in the 1800s so about two hundred years? Not that time exists here. From the looks of this place, I'm in the Traveler Institute." Haneul said, looking around, " What happened? The last thing I remember, we were overrun by demons..." He tried to sit up, but groaned at the searing pain in his hip. Nazrene gently pushed Haneul back down into the bed, "Yes, that's right. You and the others were overpowered by demons. We sensed a disturbance in the dimensions before that so we a
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials XXXVI
The 5th Dimension (The Demonworld) A hand ran through Veronica's face and she surrendered to it. She couldn't remember the last time she was held like this, it almost felt like a dream. Maybe it was. Her consciousness must be in one of her dream planes because she was back with Geronimo. "Veronica. Hey, wake up." He said. But his voice was different. Veronica frowned. Something was wrong with her dream. Wait...dream? Why was she dreaming? Demons don't dream... Veronica jerked, opening her eyes. "Latte," she whispered at the face looking down at her. She sat up, feeling disoriented, "What--what happened? Where are we?" Veronica looked around her. They were in a cell. The Pocket. Was she back in The Pocket? She had gotten out, didn't she? No, it was so much worse than that. The Pocket's cells were pristine white and didn't have a particular smell. This one stank of sulfur and ichor of gold and blue-black ran on like a fountain on its walls and onto the floor. Veronica looked at
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials XXXVII
The 5th Dimension (The Traveler Institute)Minho woke up in pain. Wound around his chest were golden-stained bandages that were too tight for comfort. Demons...his senses had caught up to him. There were a lot of them at Tina's house. He had to go find her. Tina was in danger. But Minho's body would not cooperate, he almost fell as he struggled to get up. As if hearing his struggle, Alice entered the door, set down the tray she was holding, and helped him as he stumbled off his bed. "Minho, it's okay. You'll be alright." The faerie said, worry lines on her forehead. "Where are we?" Minho looked around. The place was oddly familiar. "Is this..." "Yes, we're in the Traveler Institute. They arrived and saved us just in time before we got dragged to Hell. Well, Minho, you, and me. The travelers didn't get to..." Alice trailed off. She ran her hand through the curls of her bandaged head, anxious. "LJ?" Minho asked. Alice nodded, "And Ronnie, too. But they'll be alright, the travelers
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials XXXVIII
The 5th Dimension (The Demonworld)"That's very nice of the Travelers," Veronica whispered, suspicion dripping in her tone. LJ looked at her from his spot beside Theodora. Sweat glistened on his forehead as he retracted his healing hand from Theodora's mangled, unconscious form on the floor. "Won't you need your strength when we get out of here?" Veronica asked. "Yes." LJ said, wiping his forehead and coming toward Veronica, "But if we were to move quickly, we need Theodora to at least be able to walk. Now, we just need to wait for Nazrene to get back to us after securing Tina. Apparently, there's a limit to her secret access to the demonworld. " "If you say so," Veronica shrugged, "Never really expected her and...any of them, actually, to rescue us first." LJ frowned at Veronica, presumably confused at her sudden self-pity. She had been acting weird since they were dragged to Hell. More...vulnerable. But LJ knew better than to tell the demon that, lest hurt her pride.Veronica tr
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials XXXIX
The 5th Dimension (The Traveler Institute)"Still no progress?" Haneul appeared by the balcony where Tina was concentrating, trying to fashion her physical vessel, to no avail. "I thought I told you to stay away from me," Tina said through gritted teeth. The last thing she wanted was for Haneul to begin asking questions about her time in Hell. She simply wasn't ready for that confrontation yet. Haneul stepped closer, "Let me help you." "No," Tina said, closing her eyes again. Damn him. Why couldn't he just leave her alone?Haneul sighed, "Look, Tina. I get that you're angry with me. I would be too, if I were you. I put you through a lot. You didn't deserve any of this." "You're right. I don't." Tina said, standing up. "Just a month ago, I knew exactly who I was. It wasn't a perfect life. I grew up without my parents, and I didn't have a single day where I didn't work since I was a child. Of course, people didn't always believe me when I share my struggles because they always equat
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials XL
The 5th Dimension (The Traveler Institute) They were all in the living room, called by Antoine in a meeting. The Chief Traveler came in, his demeanor bleak, and Nazrene was noticeably absent. Standing like soldiers near the walls were several travelers who had sworn under Antoine's leadership. "Is everything alright? Where's Nazrene?" It was Tina who spoke first. She had been able to constitute her third-dimensional form a while ago, and had been studiously ignoring Haneul, too. He frowned at her confusing behavior, wanting so bad to set her aside and ask her what was wrong. But she wouldn't give him the chance. "Yes, she's quite alright. Going into the Demonworld to save you all, the stress finally caught up to her. She's in her room, regaining her strength." Antoine replied, not bothering to hide the disapproval in his tone. Nazrene was precious to him, not only because she was the only one among them to travel to the Macroverse, but also because she was his dear niece. "So Ve
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Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXX
EPILOGUEManila, Philippines (November 2007) Haneul knew he shouldn't torture himself. But his mind and heart couldn't find rest since that day. Despite having just gone to trial, he didn't follow orders again, sneaking into the ranks of the newly minted Mirror Division in their quest to recover Tina. Only to have her torn into pieces in front of him. Descended against her will. Now, demoted back into being a guardian angel, Haneul could only spend his free time hunting pieces of Tina in every dimension. There she was in front of him, newly turned eleven, mourning the death of her parents. The ones whom Haneul made a promise to, and failed. "Tita, C--can--I have water, please?" little Tina said softly, trying not to garble the words as she sobbed. Haneul remembered how he felt seeing her for the first time. Helpless. Mediocre. Possibly vexing, as most human children were. Then, he remembered how he felt seeing her that one last time. The bravest being he had ever known. Breathtakin
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXIX
The 4th Dimension (The Dream Plane)What a birthday. Waking up next to the man she loves. Tina sank herself more into the softness of the sheets around her, burying her head in the crook of Haneul's neck, reveling in his warmth. She felt him smile and turn to her. "Good morning," he greeted, his eyes still closed. Not hearing a reply, he squinted at Tina. "Tina? What's wrong?" "Sorry, I just didn't want to say anything back in case my breath smells bad," Tina replied, covering her mouth with the blanket around her. Haneul chuckled, "You silly girl. You don't need to worry about things like that around me." he said, then his eyes turned serious. "Do you really need to go tomorrow?" "I'm sorry, but you know I have to. A.R. Corp's still new in Beijing. I need to oversee at least its first three months there." Tina explained apologetically. "I'm going to miss you," Haneul said. "You can come with me, you know," Tina told him. "Unfortunately, I've already used up my leave from the f
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXVIII
HongKong, China (July 1936) The Principalities' voices rose above one another, Haneul felt like their trial would last forever. In fact, they haven't addressed Haneul's squad at all, they were all busy quarreling over the state of the universe, which hang precariously out of balance. As of the moment, the angels only have two out of seven feathers in their possession, one of which is being held in Hell and well within Lilith's reach. The Third Angelic Sphere was infiltrated and several of their warriors were lost, including Minho. The American Mirror had descended right under their noses and Tina... The composure that Haneul had built since her disappearance was slowly cracking on the surface. He looked at LJ, the one who he usually could count on at a time like this, but he wasn't even looking at him. It wasn't like Haneul could blame his brother. Though he pretended not to notice, he wasn't entirely blind to what developed between LJ and Veronica. LJ had lost someone dear to him, t
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXVII
Beijing, China (July 2000)"So, let me get this straight. We lost five soldiers, including Minho, by a Mirror who was pretending to be Tina. And yet, we are being dispatched to find some feather and the trial is still going to push through." Javi said, perfectly summing up what transpired in the battle room following the commotion in the Third Angelic Sphere. "It makes sense. A major lead was found, and it was what you lot were supposed to be doing the entire time. And you lot ought to be grateful they pushed back your trial. Most criminals are not afforded the same courtesy." Kenneth Navarro, the new temporary addition to their team, commented. With Mika's spot obviously empty and with Minho's disappearance, him and another Filipino angel (whose name Amara could not honestly remember), were tasked to join their squad. "I think you should watch your mouth," Amara said as they continued to walk down the streets of Beijing, her anxiety about Minho's well-being gripping her stomach, ma
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXVI
The 4th Dimension (The Dream Plane) "Oh my God. You're totally cheating." Tina exclaimed, throwing the cards in front of her. "I wasn't. You're just very bad at the game." Haneul calmly replied, smiling at her and his eyes twinkling like they always did. "Hey, hey, are you guys fighting over cards?" Alice came into the room, a fresh bowl of cookies in her hand. LJ and Veronica followed behind her, their hands linked together. Tina met Haneul's eyes and they shared a pleased smile. The sexual tension between their two friends has been frustrating. It was good to know that they finally were on the same page. Speaking of sexual tension, Amara and Minho arrived, acting awkward but strangely close to each other. Amara gasped at the sight of the cards on the floor, "You started a game without us. Ugh. Typical couple crap." she said. Minho frowned at her, "Amara, be nice." "That would be hard to do. I don't think 'nice' is even in her dictionary." Javi came bustling into the room with
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXV
The 7th Dimension (The Third Angelic Sphere)"I still don't understand what you and Minho see in here. Do you see the way she treats all of us?" Amara said, sinking back into her seat in frustration. "Tina's been through so much, Amara." was all Haneul could say. In truth, he couldn't bring himself to defend Tina lately. She had always been straightforward due to her upbringing, but he couldn't help feeling a change in her since she was alone with Lilith back in Hell. Then there was that alarming conversation that he had with her before they ventured into Heaven. Maybe Amara was right, they could've fallen into a trap. "Why--" Javi was interrupted by the blares of the Sphere's alarm system. For a moment, Haneul didn't recognize the sound. The thing had been freshly installed. Heavily influenced by the human's concept of a public warning against disasters of some kind, angels had no need for it. They could communicate with each other psychically anyway. But at the time, he could see
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXIV
New York, USA (July 2019)His hand shook slightly as he knocked on his door, but as soon as he saw her face, the fear subsided. It always did, whenever he saw her safe and sound, smiling at him like that. "LJ had just woken up and Alice had arrived. Veronica....well, hers is a complicated situation that we need to discuss with the others. We are all leaving for the Third Sphere in a few minutes. I hope you got some rest." Haneul told Tina."Right..." Tina said in a hesitant tone. "Tina, is something wrong?" "N-nothing. I just..." she replied, "I have a bad feeling about the trial. What if they don't understand? What if we get banished or worse, killed for our sins?" Haneul frowned at her, confused, "Tina, where is this coming from? You're talking about Heaven. Yes, we have our trespasses, and we need to pay for it. But as Akira said, he is confident that we will be pardoned, and his instincts are never wrong." "Then why haven't you consulted him in the first place? You acted on y
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXIII
New York, USA (July 2019) A surge of power erupted from both Lucifer and Lilith upon Poseidon's arrival, and before Haneul could react, their entire squad had resurfaced. Without Tina. His heart dropped at the realization. And Minho, who had quickly realized it, too, was already at Lucifer's throat. "Where did she take her?! You better talk now, Lucifer, or I swear to the Macroverse---" Lucifer just blinked at him in response, unfazed, "I've always found that phrase funny, 'I swear to God.', as if he ever--" Minho pulled a fist back, ready to punch the Prince back to the Hell where he belonged, but Akira stepped in, wedging himself between the two men. "Control yourself and look around you, Minho. Tina is safely back with us." Haneul spun around. It was true. Tina was standing in their midst, in one piece, albeit a bit disoriented from what can be seen on her face. But once again, Minho was faster than him. He had already wrapped Tina in his arms. Haneul tried for his heart to not
Book of Mirrors I: The Celestials LXXII
New York (July 2019)His injury was more severe than it looked, so he was left behind. His squad has gone to Hell without him to rescue Tina while Alice took off somewhere LJ didn't know, muttering about a chance to reverse something. He figured it had something to do with Veronica, but he could not be certain. LJ couldn't even bring himself to think what it would mean to him if Alice could somehow find a way to stop Veronica from becoming human, or if she'd failed. As if stirred by his presence, Veronica awoke from her slumber, her lashes fluttering weakly as she opened her eyes, "Latte?" she whispered. She looked slack, so unlike the woman who almost sucked out his soul the first time they met, and every bit the girl who had clung to him when they were in Hell. "Your head...are you alright?" she tried weakly to touch his bandaged head with her right hand, but it didn't quite reach. LJ gave her a small smile, "I believe you already asked me that." he told her gently, catching her h
